McAllister won a special election last week to fill the seat of Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.), who took a position in the administration of Gov. Bobby Jindal (R-La.).

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After the brief ceremony, members of the Louisiana delegation welcomed McAllister, who was joined on the House floor by his family.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody who got me here, up there in the gallery," the new member said. "I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for them, and I wouldn't be here today if it weren't for these kids."